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September 24, 2014 News

What to Expect When the Electrician Comes

Letting a stranger into your home can come with a lot of consequences depending on who the stranger is. While most times people don’t let complete strangers in their homes, there are times when it does happen. Usually this happens because you need assistance with something in your home, like an electrical problem. In this situation a call will be made to an electrician and they will come over. What should be the expectation when an electrician is in your home?

One of the first things to expect is punctuality. A meeting time should be arranged when the appointment is scheduled. Keep in mind things do come up during the day, if this does happen a friendly phone call should be made. When the electrician does arrive a friendly and positive first impression should be made. A first impression not only includes customer service skills, but also appearance. While most people wouldn’t think to double check credentials, an electrician should always have theirs available.

Knowledge is key when it comes down to fixing electrical wiring. A hired electrician should be able to diagnose any size problem, whether it be a small outlet or a wiring issue. While an electrician won’t be asking someone about how to fix an electrical problems, they will still ask questions. Ensuring they are doing the job you would like done, and to determine the desired outcome. Prices for the job should also be discussed either before the electrician arrives, or when they do arrive. Not all prices are set in stone and may vary, but having a rough estimate should be handled.

Not everyone is comfortable leaving a stranger in a room of their home alone. With that said, it would also not be comfortable for an electrician to work while a stranger is watching their every move. When an electrician is hired there should be some form of trust. It’s okay to regularly check on the work being done, but standing side by side can be an annoyance.

EcoElectric takes pride in providing clean, friendly, and professional service to their customers at a fair price. All our employees are drug free, skilled, and courteous. If you are looking for an electrician to hire for any job give EcoElectric a call today to learn more about our company and schedule your electrician appointment.

Testing Electrical Outlets

What do you do when an outlet has gone dead or isn’t working properly? While the fix is usually simple, there are always many different reasons why the outlet isn’t working. Troubleshooting the electrical outlet is the place to start. The first step is to see if other outlets in the area are working. This can be done by seeing if other electrical items are still working or by using a voltage tester. If other outlets are dead it’s best to unplug anything that is plugged in. Unplugging items will avoid an electrical overload. It’s also suggested to mark the dead outlet. By marking the outlets you can test them once the issue has been restored.

The next step is to check for a tripped breaker or a blown fuse. Check the breakers for the area in the home which has been affected. If a breaker has been flipped off, simply flip it back on to restore electrical energy to the area. If the breaker box didn’t provide the answer to why a break isn’t working, the GFCI’s (ground fault circuit interrupter) may need to be checked.

A GFCI is the unusual outlet you see with the red reset buttons attached. These outlets are usually in areas of a home with the highest chance of electrical shock (bathrooms or kitchens). This is often a step that is over looked. Electricians will often attach multiple outlets to one outlet that has a GFCI. Any electrical leak in an outlet that is attached to a GFCI can cause the GFCI to trip. If after doing these checks you still have no power, there is a chance there is a bad connection, or loose wires and an electrician should be called.

Handling electricity and electrical issues can be very dangerous. While these provided steps are simple to do at home. The safe route is to always call an electrician. The staff at EcoElectric can help solve any household or commercial electrical issue and suggest ways to save money by switching to renewable energy. Call us today to schedule an appointment!

Renewable Energy Growth

Life without power would be hard to image. While it is completely doable, it’s not the way most people would prefer to live. The usage of power has change drastically over time. The source of power has also been making a drastic change. According to the ECO report during July 2014, 100% of US power installations were renewable! This means that instead of a common electrical plant being installed, workers were installing forms of renewable energy.

While the type of renewable energy being installed wasn’t defined, it’s now clear that many people are seeing the benefits of renewable energy and making the switch. Some of the notable renewable power installations were two wind facilities in Texas, and solar installations in Indiana, Maine, Vermont, and Maryland.

Switching to renewable energy is beneficial for the environment and those using the electricity. Everyone loves the world we live in, why not make it last as long as possible? EcoElectric specializes in green electricity services as well as traditional electrical services. If making the switch to renewable energy grabs your attention contact EcoElectric today. Our friendly staff can provide education on options for green energy.

What to Look for When Hiring an Electrician

Hiring and electrician to do work for you can be a tricky process. The person being hired needs to be trustworthy and qualified to get the job done correctly. Most people will turn to a referral from someone close when it comes to hiring an electrician. This is always a great place to start, but there are some other factors to take into consideration as well.

Prices: Most electricians will quote the project when hired for a job. Consumers should look to see if the prices being quoted are fair and competitive. One suggestion is to call around and get at least three quotes. Remember the lowest quote isn’t always the best quote to go with. Experience and qualifications are also a huge factor.

Specialization: If the job is difficult or requires specialization you’ll want to make sure the electrician is qualified for the job. Experience is key. Being qualified for the specific job can provide safety and a job well done.

Professionalism: Every electrician should strive for professionalism. This includes their attitude as well as appearance.

Referrals: If the electrician was referred to you, do research! Check the electrician’s website. Most times websites will offer testimonials from previous customers. Other websites such as Angie’s List or Yelp can also provide customer service experiences and ratings.

Overall, hiring an electrician can cause some stress, but once they are hired the stress should end. Any electrician that is hired should be able to finish the job correctly the first time. For excellent customer service and a qualified electrician call EcoElectric today! Our staff is professional and courteous towards our customers. Our goal is to be the solution to your electrical issues.